Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1887-04-21
oBIruARr.
cor. O. w. rELFoRp.

tno otiSht forenoon OF April z, 1857.
Col. G. W. Telford left his earthly camp.
ing ground, and went to his home in
heaven. His last few days, surrounded
by dear ones, were very quiet and appar.
emily painless. Life went out as the
lamp expires for want Of oil. He seemed
almost entirely free from disease. The
machinery had been in use a long time;
(He would have been eighty-four the
tenth of Oct. next,) and seemed to wear
out and ceased to act without a shock or
jar. The soul had long been awaiting a
summons to return to God. His last
sickness had been very brief, but he
asked no delay.
Col. G.. W. Telford was born Oct. 10.
1853. His youth was full of the same
activity which marked his later days.
He received his education at Washington
College; a part of this was obtained after
his marriage. FEBRUARY 20, 1924, he was
united in the bonds Of matrimony with
Miss Amanda Hannah. The young
couple, aged respectively twenty and six
teen, took strong hold of the duties of
life. and for more than half a century,
never relaxed their united efforts.
Col. Telford was a man of iron will,
untiring energy, and constant faith in
God. Aside from an immense amount
of private business. he did much for So
ciety and the church.
In 1910 he was elected colonel of mill
tia. In 1859 he was elected to the Legis-
lature of Tenn, where he did efficient
service, especially in furthering the in
terests Of the E. Tenn. & Va. r. r. He
was one of the thirty who staked their all
to secure the charter and building of this
road. Most of these men have passed
from the work of this world, but have left
good results behind them. At this point
of rescue Col. Telford became q director
OF the r. r. and remained such until the
consolidation with the E. T. & Ga.
r. r.
Later In life Col. T. became a leading
factor in the Telford Agricultural Man.
u~facturing establishment, and continued
thus related to the time of his death.
He was, for a long term Of years, a most
prominent member Of the Board of Di.
rectors of Washington College.
In all these varied departments, rare
ability and good sense were continually
manifested. He was one of the most
noble Of the solid yeomanry of our coun-
try. Such men live while here, and con.
tinue to live in the characters which they
have helped to fashion in others.
lii addition to this active secular life,
Brother Telford was more remarkable il
the church. For near sixty.flve years ht
was a ruling Elder in Salem Presbyterian
church. Most Of this time he was clerk
Of the session, only relinquishing the
duties Of that Office when age had render.
ed him unable to perform them. Early In
life, he resolved that Salem should al.
ways be represented in all Of our church
courts, If 1t lay In his power to attend OF
induce another brother to do SO. This
led him very frequently to be in the Sy.
nod and ~Presbytery. / doubt whether
any other man in all our country has so
often been present in such meetings. He
felt 1t to be his study, and where he saw
duty that was also his pleasure.
In Sept. 1885, the Synod of Tenn. met
in Salem Church. Many enjoyed that as
q blessed occasion of spiritual COM
m%union; but perhaps no one found more
real pleasure in it than Col Te.ford. 1t
was his last meeting with the brethren
whom he had so often met in council and
prayer. Some whom he especially loved,
who were present at that time crossed to
heaven before him.
About a fortnight after this meeting he
was Frustrated with disease, after which
he never regained his strength sufi-
GENTLY to leave home but a few times.
These last two and a half years were
very quiet in the home he loved so we'll.
He often said that during these last thirty
months he was almost an entire stranger
to pain. He grew more feeble, and
waited until the call was to come home
and rest.
In his family Col. Telford was espe.
cially blessed. There were born to him
twelve daughters, all of whom reached
maturity, and seven of them yet remain
to mourn separation for a time from Sc
beloved parent. Feb. 90, 1874, was a
most happy golden wedding day. After
fifty years of pleasure and toll, Mrs. and
Mr.. Telford met about one hundred OF
their friends In their home. There were
present 25 descendants, and all were
happy in song and prayer and words Of
christian faith and cheer. The Col. and
his wife continued together some years,
when God took away the vine and left
the oak still standing. So 1t is in this
world. Our partings seem sad, but to the
christian they soon become glorious re-
unions. We part amid the clouds Of
time--wc meet beneath the changeless
light Of eternity.
On July IA, 1881, Col. Telford was
again married, to Mrs. NJ. A. Hughes, who
cared for him most tenderly during his
closing years, and now sadly mourns his
loss. But, like all others who weep his
departure, she can see the rainbow Of
hope In the tears which she sprinkles.